Animal Welfare: everybody's business

On Monday 10th December, 2012, Dogs' Homes of Tasmania announced that they were in dire financial straits; their power bills had quadrupled within the year, some staff were made redundant and a need for urgent re-structuring was declared. Their laudable G2Z or 'Getting To Zero' policy, meaning no dogs should be euthanased, has cost them dearly; this prompted Content Maker Elaine Harris to investigate the state of animal welfare in Tasmania and beyond.

I love animals in general and dogs in particular; though, like my hero David Attenborough, there are a few species on my 'impossible to love' list - weasels, rats, fleas, head-lice, that sort of thing. (Permission to scratch if you feel the need.)

I have only been bitten by two dogs and on both occasions the fault was probably mine, albeit unwittingly; over the past 30 years Himself and I have shared our lives with three working Labrador Guide Dogs and two adopted/rescued German Shepherds.

Allie, (4/8/2000 to 17/9/2012), came to us indirectly via the RSPCA and Lottie, birth date unknown, joined the household on 7th January 2012 thanks to Dogs' Homes of Tasmania.

So it was with some sadness that I learned of the Dogs' Homes of Tasmania's plight last week and read of the closure of the Burnie branch of the RSPCA earlier this year.

What, if anything, does this say about animal welfare in Tasmania and could we all be doing more?

One woman's mission

Anne Boxhall's love affair with animal welfare began with her 1991 visit to the newly-opened Hobart Dogs' Home; though working as a full-time primary school teacher, she raced out to walk dogs at weekends.

In 2005, Anne became part-time Education and Media Officer with Dogs' Homes of Tasmania while still doing some teaching: "Prior to that, I was a volunteer dog walker and briefly Secretary of Board (Tasmanian Canine Defence League)."

All that changed earlier this year when Anne was appointed Executive Officer of the Animal Welfare League Australia, to which her former employers are affiliated; it is a new role and the only paid position within the League; technically, she says she left the Dogs' Homes after twenty years but, as you see, there is still a link.

But who or what is the Animal Welfare League and what do they ask of us, you and me?

As well as supporting the Board and applying for corporate sponsorship, the Animal Welfare League works on 'Strategy and campaign activity' - building relationships and lobbying politicians who can legislate to improve outcomes for animals (and the people who care for them).

In theory, this sounds as dull and bureaucratic as any board manifesto but in practice it is much more realistic, down-to-earth and caring; being animal welfare, it is also not without controversy.

It may be cheating a little to borrow at least some information from the League's website but they sum up who they are as effectively as I could on their behalf.

"We're a national non-profit organisation caring for companion animals across Australia; our AWLA affiliated shelters in QLD, NSW, VIC, SA and TAS have 290 years of combined experience in caring for pets and their people."

(A lovely way to put it, placing the focus firmly where it belongs.)

"We formed in 2007, when the Animal Welfare Leagues of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland united to become Animal Welfare League Australia; in 2010, Dogs' Homes of Tasmania also joined AWLA."

Western Australia has not yet joined and perhaps the ACT and Northern Territory will one day become affiliated.

United we stand

Although the League is a great believer in the role of the individual, they use their united power unashamedly to further the cause.

"United under the AWLA banner, we share knowledge and work together to develop and promote programs which deliver high welfare standards for animals."

"(Using) our years of experience in caring for animals in need, our member shelters have jointly found homes for millions of lost, abandoned, surrendered and mistreated animals and provided veterinary care to animals whose owners could not afford their medical treatment."

The League uses its national voice to provide a mouthpiece for the voiceless.

"(We) lobby government for legislation and policies which will improve life for animals.

Our focus is companion animals, but we are committed to advocating for the responsible and humane treatment of all animals."

Do shock tactics work?

Despite the public outcry after the ABC's Four Corners programme on live sheep exports earlier this year, the practice continues; the League numbers among those organizations lobbying for change.

In Anne's words: "(During) the last 30 years one cruelty incident after another has been documented, involving savage cruelty and the deaths of thousands of animals."

"It is truly horrendous; it's shameful that vested commercial interests continue to sway government, when there are real alternatives. New Zealand banned live exports years ago."

"It is shameful, embarrassing and in a way frightening to see both major parties lacking the moral decency to stop live exports."

"So much for a civilised, caring country...."

Puppy farms come in for similar condemnation.

I confess I was largely ignorant about the practice of puppy farming until a friend in New Zealand expressed her undiluted opinions; Marilyn has worked as a puppy-walker (foster mum) for Guide Dogs in Auckland for decades, including rearing Rosi, my current working girl.

When I asked Anne about puppy farming she told me this story:

"I recall a campaign around Nobby, the beagle - sad face of the factory-farming of puppies; this female dog spent her entire life as a production-line breeder in bleak conditions on a Victorian puppy farm."

"Known as the howler, she would howl for days every time her litter was taken from her."

"Sometime in 2004 or 2005 the horror ended for Nobby when she was put down; after back-to-back breeding, her swollen, exhausted and sagging body found peace."

"Soon afterwards, that puppy farm was closed down but others continue to supply pet shops or sell direct over the internet or through newspapers."

Sending a clear message

"Poor breeding practices have a direct, negative influence on the health and temperament of pets and on the number of animals euthanased because they are unwanted or 'surplus'; ... across Australia, hundreds of thousands of healthy, friendly dogs and cats are put to sleep every year - it needs to stop!"

If you have stayed with me this far you may fear that animal welfare is all doom, gloom and despondency but nothing could be further than the truth.

It's amazing what people tell you when you travel with a Guide Dog; years ago I met a wonderful lady on the bus who shared her philosophy about animals and people.

Enid believed that if children learned compassion and respect for animals, they were much more likely to show kindness and caring in their relationships with both animals and people in later life; naturally we became firm friends.

Animal Welfare League Australia would agree: "The research tells us that protecting and strengthening the human-animal bond brings real benefits to pets and people; we work to maximise those benefits."

This work takes many forms and is always supremely practical: assisting those who share their lives with animals but cannot afford adequate food or vet bills; walking dogs for those too ill or infirm to manage it for themselves, (often a temporary service); encouraging access to pets in nursing-homes, hospitals and other institutions; programmes where dogs assist troubled young people in institutions.

Other schemes worth noting are Pets In Prisons and Delta Therapy Dogs; I have worked closely with the Devonport Branch of Delta Therapy dogs this year and found them utterly inspiring.

I have read of dogs being used to calm young people facing counselling and patients in medical waiting-rooms; there are sure to be many more schemes I have yet to discover.

Then there is a service in Victoria where people who work all day can find 'dog-sitters', local senior residents who cannot manage a pet full-time but who are happy to have the joy and companionship of dogs who would otherwise spend far too much time alone; what Anne calls a real win-win solution.

Earlier this year I learned about Delta Dog Safe, a programme for schools and early childhood centres where trained volunteers take in life-size toy dogs to teach young children about understanding animals: knowing when a dog is scared, angry or friendly; overcoming their own fear; how to pat a dog safely and what to do when confronted with an unknown aggressive dog.

The toy dogs allow for role play and are very popular; Ann Hughes, a retired teacher, looks after the Delta Dog Safe programme in the North West of Tasmania, aided and abetted by her large toy Dalmatian.

Anne Boxhall says she has made many friends through her work and hears some wonderful stories with happy endings for both dogs and people.

The sad stories from the past, where nothing can be done to help an animal in trouble, still make her feel distressed and powerless.

Co-existing and responsible pet ownership

Responsible pet ownership is all part of the Animal Welfare League Australia's philosophy: taking dogs on beaches only where they are welcome and clearing up after them; avoiding penguin rookeries and other known bird-nesting sites; the successful adoption by many cat owners of enclosed play areas, keeping both them and the wildlife safe; de-sexing, training, socialization an micro-chipping of dogs and being honest with yourself about how your dog will react in a given situation.

Most dog attacks are highly preventable though there are always exceptions.

It can work: I have friends with indoor/outdoor enclosed cat areas and others who are owned by both dogs and parrots, have been adopted by a large resident rabbit in their garden, yet are on the Wildlife Rescue roster and 'Friends of Lillico Penguins' guiding service.

Sharing our lives with animals should be fun for them as well as for us; we have the power to control our destinies, circumstances and surroundings; it is well-worth remembering that animals do not and respecting them accordingly; "Empathy - the world needs more of it", says Anne.

Rules and regulations regarding animals are important but also need to be both practical and reasonable; as with so many aspects of life, a draconian approach could backfire.

Work/life balance

As for Anne when she is not on duty - and working largely from home is a privilege she vows never to take for granted - how does she unwind and escape?

Books, especially biographies, though like me she usually has several books on the go at once; the garden; the beach where she and her two rescued dogs walk every day; live music, especially when held at outdoor venues; catching up with friends in person or on the phone, and relishing movies at the State Cinema in North Hobart.

She says she does her best work in the mornings and the old maxim about sitting in front of the computer in one's pyjamas is no mere myth.

Anne needs to do some travelling on behalf of Animal Welfare League Australia; to make this easier, she has created a circle of 'dog sitting' friends, known and loved by her dogs - though I can imagine the rapturous reunions on her return.

She has made many friends through her work and so in many ways work and life are inextricably linked - as they are for so many of us.

There were plans to develop professional writing and editing skills.

Anne has been writing the weekly pets column in the Sunday Tasmanian for ten years and has undertaken courses and workshops this year, but the full-time editing course fell prey to university cutbacks and the dream is now on hold.

What is needed most and how can we help?

As I write: Dogs' Homes of Tasmania's most pressing need is money but the work of volunteers across the entire animal welfare sector is beyond price.

The roles of volunteers are many and varied: "Many like to work hands-on with animals (which is totally understandable) but others support fundraising, campaigning, community events, publicity, admin, speaking to schools or the wider community, IT support...people find their niche and give of their skills and it all helps support the animals at the end of the day."

Final words

Anne believes that often animal cruelty goes unchecked either because people are indifferent or simply need a timely reminder.

"Animals shouldn't always be lingering in the background of our lives; they bring us so many benefits - health and well being-wise and we need to return the favour by ensuring their safety and humane treatment."

When I asked Anne how she copes with the cumulative loading of distress, an inescapable component of working in her chosen field, the reply was unequivocal: "I think it does compound, but the alternative is walking away and that just isn't an alternative."

"Better to be doing something to improve things, even if it is hard to deal with sometimes; it would be worse to do nothing."